Zenaida Arroyo

27
Aug
2017

Changes and I signed up for the Illinois Marathon!

categories: Oiselle, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I live in a two flat building with my older sister. My younger sister, nephew, and mom lived on the first floor. This past weekend they moved to a condominium in Palos Heights (about 40 minutes from where I live). My nephew is a freshman in high school and my sister wanted to live closer to this school. It is weird coming home and not seeing them here. Eventually I would like to buy a house for the two of us. Maybe next year in the Spring. I guess now I need to limit my Oiselle purchases. I told myself that I will only buy stuff on sale. 🙂 So here is what I got today: Long Rogas in Plum, Heather Grid Dolman, and Portman Pants in Plum.

With the move I inherited a piece of furniture from my mother. I am pleased that I now have one place to store my running gear. For now I have my shoes.

I have been running here and there. I went back to work last week. I am feeling more overwhelmed and exhausted each day. I don’t remember feeling like this in previous years. Last year I was training for the Chicago Marathon (running 6 days a week) and managed to do my runs. Hopefully in a few weeks things will settle down and I won’t feel too overwhelmed. Today my students behaved well. I even got compliments from two teachers telling me that I have a good group of students. 🙂

On Saturday I signed up for the Illinois Marathon on April 28 in Champaign, IL. I did the marathon relay with some friends in 2015. Despite the tornado warning/watch (can’t remember what it was), we had a great time and managed to finish the race. I am actually excited about the marathon next year!

From the Illinois Marathon website: Along with the marathon, there is a 5k, 10k, and half marathon. Runners who complete the 5K on Friday and then the 10K, half marathon, full marathon, or marathon relay on Saturday will receive a special I-Challenge medal. This means, in all, you will receive:

Two shirts (5K shirt plus the 10K, half marathon, marathon, or marathon relay shirt)
Three medals (5K medal plus the 10K, half marathon, marathon, or marathon relay medal as well as an I-Challenge medal [different for each I-Challenge])
Bragging rights

The I-Challenges.

Full I-Challenge = 5K + marathon
Marathon Relay I-Challenge = 5K + marathon relay
Half I-Challenge = 5K + half marathon
Mini I-Challenge = 5K + 10K

Registration fees are below and will increase after August 31 so make sure to sign up today!
Marathon-$90
Half Marathon-$65
Marathon Relay-$140/team
10K-$35
5K-$30
Full I-Challenge-$120
Marathon Relay I-Challenge-$260/team
Half I-Challenge-$95
Mini I-Challenge-$65

Any race challenges? I’ve done the Goofy Challenge and Dumble Dare Challenge in 2014.

Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

26
Aug
2017

Under Armour Horizon RTT shoes, back to work, and a giveaway!

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Product Review, Running, Running Gear, Teaching, Weekly Recap

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Under Armour Horizon RTT Trail Running Shoes to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I don’t normally run on the trail. However, when I was training for the Lake Michigan Marathon, I would do my long runs on the trail. I wanted a different place than running along the lakefront. Also, I realized that I would recover much faster when running on the trail. Plus, there is a certain smell (dirt) that comes with it. It may sound weird but it is true and I actually enjoyed it.

Last month I received a pair of Under Armour Horizon RTT trail running shoes. Under Armour reminds me of Michael Phelps (and his cool video) and running clothes. Definitely not running shoes nor trail shoes. I was still very interested to check them out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh9jAD1ofm4

The Horizon RTT comes in 5 colors. I picked marlin blue/neptune and I love the color .

Product DNA (from the UA website)

Durable PU & textile upper for breathability & reliable protection
Reinforced welded synthetic material in critical areas for increased durability
Mesh heel with dual protective welds
Molded collar foam package for added comfort
Charged Cushioning® foam puck placed under the heel for responsive comfort
Lightweight, full-length EVA midsole for optimal cushioning
High traction rubber lug outsole for dependable traction on a variety of conditions
Offset: 7mm
Weight: 9.2 oz.
Imported

While they weren’t heavy, they felt more stiff than my regular running shoes. My first run in them hurt my right foot.

A few more runs in them and the shoes feel a little bit more comfortable.

While they’re primarily trail shoes, they also did well on the road.

I also wore them to work (in my skirt). 🙂 I like that they’re wide enough for my feet.

Check out these lugs! I have a feeling these will be great to run in the snow.

Overall, I am pleased with my shoes. My only regret is not sizing up. I wear a 9.5 and remember reading some people suggesting to size up. I don’t know why I didn’t. I have been wearing thin socks and no longer run more than 5 miles in them.

Monday was my first day back at work. In the morning I worked in my room and then parents dropped off school supplies from 9-10 am. Then meetings, lunch, and another meeting in another building. Long day. Thankfully we had a break to see the eclipse. It was cloudy but did manage to see a bit of it.

Tuesday was more meetings. It went by fast. I couldn’t stay late because I had a doctor appointment for my yearly checkup. I had to step on the scale and was very surprised at the number. No, it didn’t go down but instead went down. I was tired so I didn’t really care. But now I do.

My first day with the kids was Wednesday. Some of the teachers used chalk to write messages for them. Pretty cool!

I have 24 students in my room. Wow! At the end of the day I wanted to cry. I was exhausted. My back, feet, and legs hurt. I have a rough group of kids. I remember my first year and it wasn’t that bad. These kids talk a lot and don’t know when to stop talking. They’re also distracted and looking elsewhere but me.

The next two days were rough too. Something new this year is that the kids eat breakfast in the lunchroom. They come in at 8:30am, grab breakfast (if they want), and go to the classroom. They have 15 minutes to put stuff in their locker and eat. It isn’t enough time because they like to talk which in the morning is fine but they also need to eat. In the meantime I take attendance and track who ate breakfast and who brought a lunch. The kids need to stop eating at 8:45, throw away the garbage, and clean up because at 8:50 they have a special (gym, media, art, gym, or computers).

I know the first couple of days/weeks are rough. I am ready for that. I need to remember those moments that make teaching so worth it.

Now time for a giveaway! The winner will receive a Momentum Jewelry inspire-ring. I have one and love it.

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. This giveaway will run until September 2 at 11:59 pm. The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Rafflecopter account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you prefer road or trail running? Or both?

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Teresa @ Finding Fabulous at Fifty . Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

20
Aug
2017

Dry scalp, race discounts, and classroom setup.

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Running, Weekly Recap

I hope the term “dry scalp” didn’t make you cringe. I’ve suffered from it for years. I think part of it is my fault. I finally wised up and am not having problems with it anymore.

I was one of those people that would wash my hair EVERY SINGLE DAY. Yep, winter, spring, summer, and fall. I know, definitely not good. I used various shampoos to help relieve the itchiness and dryness but nothing helped. Someone suggested Yes to Naturals Tea Tree & Sage Oil Scalp Relief Shampoo and Conditioner and to stop washing it everyday. What? But I sweat a lot and run a lot. How can I not wash my hair? That is just GROSS!! I decided to wash my hair every other day and to just rinse my hair on the days that I don’t wash it. It’s been about 3 weeks and my scalp feels so much better.

Check out my new discounts page HERE. There are a few Rock ‘n’ Roll coming up so make sure to use code “BIBRAVE15″ to save $15 off your race entry. Want to run a Hot Chocolate race? There are also quite a few of them in various cities. When you sign up you can get a BONUS Hot Chocolate branded cap. But each city has a different code so make sure to check out my discounts page.

My room is almost done. I went back to set it up Monday-Wednesday. I had a meeting on Tuesday so could only set up for a few hours. I decided that I would finish as much as I could by Wednesday because I didn’t want to go again till Monday. I still have a few more things to do but will get it done when I go back.

Can you tell that I like pens and Ticonderoga pencils. If you have kids in school, buy those pencils for them.

I also managed to run a couple of days. Monday afternoon I came home tired and took a nap. Then I debated on whether to run or not. Glad I did! I wore my new Oiselle reflective top. For sure drivers saw me on the street!

I ran Thursday, Saturday and Sunday again on the lakefront. Total mileage for this week is 18.06.

It feels good not to have a specific running plan to follow. I have two races in September that I am excited about: Run Mag Mile on September 9 and Chicago Half Marathon/5K on September 24. Check out the sweet swag for these races!

2017 Chicago Half and 5K 1 — Source: http://www.chicagohalfmarathon.com/

Tomorrow is back to work. Summer break is definitely over. 🙂

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Madhuri @ Ponder ‘N’ Wonder. Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

13
Aug
2017

Burpees challenge, a peek in my room, and some running.

categories: Running, Weekly Recap

I don’t like burpees. Who does?

Still, my nephew and I decided to do a burpees challenge. I like the fact that he is enjoying doing something with me. He will be 15 years old in a few weeks and I cherish whatever moment he wants to spend with me. Today, Sunday, will be day 7 which means 25 burpees. I can do 5 in a row and then I start to get tired. It does get easier, right?

On Thursday and Friday mornings I went to my school to check out my room. Thursday was the first day that the teachers could start setting up their room. I went for about 45 minutes because I had to leave. I am part of another committee and was meeting that week from 8:30 am-3:00 pm. I didn’t go on Monday but did go Tuesday-Friday. Exhausting work but also rewarding.

I will be going back on Monday to start and finish setting up my room. My goal is to have it ready by Monday, August 21, but if I don’t have it done then for sure by Wednesday, August 23. <<First day of school for the kids.

It feels overwhelming because I have so many boxes.

As mentioned last week, I am no longer training for a marathon so I haven’t been running much.

On Saturday I went running but with no specific goal. I just wanted to run as fast and as slow as I could. I ran 2 miles then saw some friends heading back to Fleet Feet and ended up running back with them. Total 4.02 miles.

I did the same thing on Sunday. Total 5.02 miles. Total for the week is 9.02 miles.

Thanks to Facebook for reminding me of my love for the Brooks Launch (from 2015).

And another reminder of my first half marathon in 2006.

The Lion King is my favorite Disney movie. I’ve watched it various time and have also seen the musical version, maybe 3 times? I saw that the movie was again at the theater so yesterday I went with my nephews and niece. Actually it was a sing-a-long so my niece and I were singing some of the songs. Love it!

What is your favorite Disney movie? Want to do the burpees challenge too?

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Michelle @ Running With Attitude. Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

11
Aug
2017

The Great Alaskan Running Cruise: Vancouver, Canada

categories: Adventure, Fun, Running, Travel

You can read about my last day at sea HERE.

We woke up in Vancouver. Our last stop. We got our last cup of coffee using our coffee card. <<If you like coffee as much as I do, I suggest you get this card. The coffee on the ship is NOT good. With this card you get 15 different coffees (americano, latte, cappuccino, hot chocolate) throughout the week. Definitely best purchase ever!

I’ve never been to Vancouver so I was excited about being there. We were able to get off the ship around 8:30am. Then we took a cab to the hotel. Our room wasn’t ready so we left our luggage and went out to explore.

First we went to Stanley Park.

Then we took a ferry to Granville Island. We did more sightseeing and got something to eat. So many choices to eat at The Public Market but we ended up at a brewery. 🙂

We walked on the Granville Island Bridge to get back to our hotel. We got tired. Once in our room we took a nap.

Have you heard of the Happy Pace Program? If I would have stayed longer in Vancouver, for sure I would have shown up at 7:30 am.

After our nap we went to Gastown. It is Vancouver’s most historic neighborhood with cobblestone walkways.

The following morning I flew back to Chicago. But first another bear picture. I posted this in our private Facebook page and everyone got a kick out of it. Anybody home?

Remember my snafu on my flight from Seattle to Anchorage regarding the app to watch TV shows? Same thing happened. I had access to free movies and TV shows but I needed the United app in order to watch them. And I needed wifi to download the app.